THREE doctors have been ordered to repay Medicare a total of $395,000 between them in relation to inappropriate claiming for after-hours GP visits.
The controversy emerged as a result of a Senate Estimates hearing earlier this year, with the Health Department responding this week.
The department confirmed that 14 after-hours doctors had been referred to the Professional Services Review during the last 12 months, with 11 remaining under investigation according to Australian Doctor.
Claims by some doctors' groups that the rise in urgent after-hours Medicare claims was helping to reduce admissions to hospital emergency rooms were rejected, with the Department saying its data did not support this argument.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 23 Aug 17
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 23 Aug 17